Canada Day Day-tripping

The ocean used to be where the brown is - about an hour ago!

Today, as we drove away from Five Island Provincial Park, I said to Jason and Monica, "I feel the way I did when I hiked Burncoat in the winter; how do I explain to anyone what we just did in a way that they could possibly GET it?" So that's my dilemma, I just did one of the most incredible things I've ever done, yet words don't do it justice, because it is almost impossible to describe the scope. When we pulled into the parking lot it was just after 1:00 in the afternoon, and we were there to hike. We wanted to wander down to the beach first to check it out; after all, I had seen some pretty cool pictures of this muddy beach and really wanted to see what it was all about.

So what is the big deal you ask? The Five Island Provincial Park sits within the Bay of Fundy. The park features 90 metre (300 ft.) sea cliffs overlooking the world's highest tides, and when we got there the tide was on it's way out, so the ocean floor was slowly giving up all its secrets. We started up on one of the cliffs, wandered down to the beach and ended up spending the entire time there just walking and basking in the awesomeness of it all for about three hours. We were walking along what had been the ocean's floor just an hour or two before; it was like walking on the surface of the moon. Yes, I know, I said all this for the Burncoat trip as well, but it is probably going to be as amazing to me every, single time. Walking barefoot with the silty, clay sand oozing between your toes, seeing clam holes in the sand and walking on  ocean kelp...who does this every day?

The sales pitch reads:

The cliffs at Five Islands Provincial Park tell a story of Triassic sand dunes, Jurassic lava flows and lake deposits from the age of dinosaurs. The spectacular faults and rocks exposed along the shore, near the "Old Wife" are dramatic evidence for the break-up of the super-continent Pangaea, and formation of a rift valley in the area that we now know as the Bay of Fundy.

Yup, it's all that and then some. So now my feet feel as smooth as a baby's bottom and I feel as if I had a serious leg workout - what an awesome Canada Day!

Starter Kit to Nova Scotia

Came across this online today and thought I'd re-post for those who have never visited the province...

Posted by Fodor's Guest Blogger on June 26, 2012 at 12:45:46 PM EDT
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries Tagged: Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tips

By Susan MacCallum-Whitcomb
Clinging precariously to Canada's East Coast, the Nova Scotian peninsula isn't just an accessible (and affordable) destination. As a spot where lobster traps outnumber tourist traps, it ticks all the boxes for an unspoiled seaside escape—and, unless you're obsessed with multi-colored leaves, summer is the best time to come. When planning a trip, just remember that, while small by national standards, the province is still twice the size of Massachusetts. So start by concentrating on these four key regions.

Aerial view of Halifax

Halifax
Known as Atlantic Canada's marquee city, Halifax is the obvious choice when you're jonsing for an urban fix. But it also serves as a fitting introduction to Nova Scotia's particular brand of charm because, like the province as a whole, it has sociable locals and history to spare, plus water, water, everywhere. Halifax rims a huge natural harbor (only Sydney boasts a larger one) and virtually all major attractions—including the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and star-shaped Halifax Citadel—sit within sight of it. For an up-close look, stroll along the Waterfront Boardwalk or, better yet, linger there over a Keith's beer. Afterwards board a Cable Wharf vessel for a harbor cruise.
Insider's Tip: As an alternative to a lengthy tour, make a return cross-harbor trip for less than $5 on a commuter ferry. Launched in 1752, the service was once managed by native Haligonian Samuel Cunard who later established the famed Cunard Line.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

South Shore


When my family rented a villa in Tuscany one year, the owners said they couldn't understand why we'd bothered coming when their favorite place in the world—Nova Scotia's South Shore—sits right outside Halifax. Edging the Atlantic Ocean for about 190 miles, the waterside route is punctuated with time-warped towns like Chester, Mahone Bay, and Shelburne that evoke vintage New England. (The resemblance explains why many movies set in Maine or Massachusetts are actually filmed here.) The towering lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, one of Canada's signature sites, creates the area's best photo op; while Lunenburg, a vibrant 18th-century community so well preserved that it's been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes the best home base.
Insider's Tip: Shopping alert! Aside from the expected maritime amenities (think beaches, boats, quaint B&B's and oodles of fresh seafood), the South Shore also features a surplus of quality craft shops. Folk art and antique stores are plentiful too. 

Digby Fishing

Fundy Shore and Annapolis Valley
The Atlantic merges into the mighty Bay of Fundy near the province's southern tip, bringing you face to face with the highest tides on earth. In this less-developed region the biggest attractions come courtesy of Mother Nature, as do the smallest, with whales dominating the former category and renowned Digby scallops having a lock on the latter. Ready for something different? Loop back to Halifax through the Annapolis Valley. This pastoral stretch is a revelation for vacationers who equate Nova Scotia exclusively with the sea since it promises orchards, vineyards and wineries. Several of Canada's oldest settlements are here as well, among them Port Royal. Founded in 1605, it predates Jamestown, Virginia, by two years.
Insider's Tip: Minimize car time without sacrificing much on either the South or Fundy Shore by driving down to Liverpool and cutting cross-country to Annapolis Royal. The trip takes approximately 90 minutes, passing Kejimkujik National Park en route.

Driving the Cabot Trail

Cape Breton
Although connected to the mainland by a mile-long causeway, Cape Breton Island feels like another world. That's partly because the topography is more dramatic—especially along the legendary Cabot Trail. A vertigo-inducing, cliff-hugging coastal road that extends for 185 glorious miles. Another reason is that the physical similarities between Cape Breton and Scotland attracted droves of displaced Highlanders during the 18th century, and their cultural legacy is clearly evident. For proof, visit the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, drink a dram at North America's original single-malt whiskey distillery, and then dance 'til you drop at one of the fiddle-fueled ceilidhs (traditional "kitchen parties") held nightly in summer.
Insider's Tip: Get optimal views, plus better access to lookouts in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, by approaching the Cabot Trail from the east and traveling counterclockwise. Just drive it in daylight. Night is prime time for moose—not motorists.

BWM(M)!!!!

Coming home after practice Thursday, I was just plain frustrated about the same issue as in my last post, where I don't "get" the haughtiness of some of my supposed teammates. I hopped on my computer the minute I walked in the door and sent an  email to my friend Hedia to ask her "what's wrong with your friend so-and-so?" I am always polite and go out of my way to be friendly to her and she is barely cordial, and I have not, for the life of me been able to figure it out. Even if we're competitors for a spot on the boat, the person who's the better athlete is going to get that spot (in a fair world), and "nice" ain't gonna get in the way of that.

I loved Hedia's response so much I have to post it here..."So who cares if she doesn't like you, in that case, you should be in her face even more. I give people like her a name, I called them BWM (biatches who motivate) me." 

I. Love. It. And that would be why I love my sistahs - they're all about the love, the support and most importantly, the perspective. Don't allow other people's negativity to get you down or to defeat you - use it as your motivation to go out there and give it your all. Remember, mean girls make you stronger.

Ugh, why you gotta be so mean?!

This is a stock photo - today was grey and wet

Today was a glorious, albeit cold and wet day. Jason, Melissa and I drove to the Keji Seaside Adjunct and did the 8.7km hike with my Outdoor Adventure meet-up group (making for a 10 hour day after 5 hours of sleep last night). I passed out for 2-3 hours after getting home, but am now wide awake at 2am. I continue to fall in love with the beauty of this province. The gifts Mother Nature gives up to you here are spectacular. Today we saw grey seals out on the water checking us out as we looked  out onto the ocean, and there was just something majestic about the whole thing.  I continue to me grateful that I joined this group and that I finally convinced Jason to start checking out the events - it is SO NICE to be able to get out and see people again!!


Yet, that being said, I have to admit that I'm having trouble with navigation of aspects of my new social space. For example, this morning when we arrived at the parking lot of the provincial park, a great big pitbull raced over to our car and proceeded to jump all over me and to try to hop up into the car seat I had just vacated. I love doggies, so no biggie, but I figured out quickly that she smelled my chocolate-chunk cookies (I know, so much for paleo!) and had to forcefully remove her so I wouldn't contribute to the death of some strangers dog.  Anyway, her owner came charging over, grabbed her by the scruff and dragged her off, berating her, without so much as a "hello" or even an apology if she had scared us.  This encounter shaped my day more than I realized.  It brought to the fore a lot of what I've been feeling since leaving Toronto, first in  London, Ontario, and now in Nova Scotia. I am having real trouble with the distance I get from people here. I have always been a very social creature. I say hello to everyone, I  like to get to know the people around me. In fact, I had fallen in love with the paddling community way before I was actually a paddler, and the girls weren't exaggerating when they'd jokingly call me the mayor of dragon boat - I like to meet and greet the people I share a love of things with. I like community. So going to practices where people show up,  hop in the boat, paddle, then hop right into their cars, often without exchanging more than a cursory hello is hard for me. Being nice to someone's pet when it's being intrusive and what some people would have taken as a little scary (not everyone reacts positively to a pitbull charging at them at full tilt) should elicit at least some degree of friendly you'd think. I go out of my way to be friendly and get uncomfortable hellos or nods in response and end up wondering if it's me.  Going back to sport,  I understand the awkward athlete thing - I've known many elite athletes throughout my lifetime, and get that their social skills are often lacking. However, that shouldn't include basic courtesy or just being nice! The cliquey thing is as hard for me now as it was when I first showed  up at Balmy Beach for war canoe 100 years ago.

I remember saying to my supervisor during my PhD when I was having trouble with a woman I was co-teaching with (who was essentially a condescending cow), that with me, what you see is what you get. She somewhat derisively told me that people who say that are rarely being honest, but you know what? I don't have time for pretense, and I don't really understand why I would go out of my way to be someone I'm not. If I like you, you know it. If I think you're scary or mean, I won't give you the time of day. If I want to be your friend, I will put myself out there. I stop on the street to tell strangers I think they're beautiful. I also tell people when I think they're being ridiculous or annoying. I would rather have you pissed at me for being honest with you than have you wonder what I really think. Does this "honesty" get me in trouble? Of course it does! Sometimes I dislike who I am because of the need  I seem to have to say what I think. I carry around that list of 15 things to let go to be happy, and refer to it at least once a day because I know some of this honesty stuff is over the top and I know how much work there is to be done on my part. But more and more lately I find myself uncertain where people are concerned - are you just being nice to my face? Why do your words ring untrue? Why can I hear you say all these nice equitable things when appropriate, yet when placed in a critical light I can  see that you are paying lip service to truly seeing me as your equal or as more than representing some idea (usually of blackness) that exists in your head? I know I'm an overly-sensitive soul, but I also just plain don't "get" humanity. How do people keep up? There are so many layers of pretense and bravado that I really struggle with what's real and what's imagined, and what people expect from relationships and cursory encounters. I mean frig, life is so short people, does it hurt to stop and share the planet with another human being for a minute?

So be kind people, sometimes it's the littlest things that mean the most.

Sugs out.

It's my "off week"

First, what's with the weather?!  Okay, so technically this is only our second spring in Nova Scotia, so there is a slight chance that the weather really isn't "the norm" for the province. BUT, I'm beginning to doubt the veracity of those with the disclaimers. This is week two of god-awful weather with the occasional gorgeous, sunny day squeaking through ever so often.  As was the case this time last year, I actually dread my sessions on the water, knowing I'll be freezing my ass off, rained on, or both.  I know, bitch, bitch, bitch.

It's been a cranky few days for me though - I was up with the birds on Friday morning and out for a 6am paddle, and it was glorious. A reminder of how much I love starting the day watching the sunrise from the water. It left me in an awesome mood for the day.  But, by 6pm I was over-tired and crabby, and by 8pm I was out cold in my bed.  I have spent the days since in a giant funk. It's my off week training-wise, and a part of me wonders if that is playing a part in my mood and listlessness. The "week off" is supposed to be for the heavy weight training, meaning the week was to be continued rowing and running. Ya, let's just say it's the end of Wednesday and I rowed on Monday and have done nothing else since. Add to that my falling off the clean eating wagon, and all hope might be lost! The "all or nothing" aspect of my personality is in full view right now.  I had a single cheat on Saturday, and that's led to poor eating every day since. Going back to 100% paleo tomorrow with the knowledge that it will be difficult on our trip back to Ontario next week. Eating cleanly on the road is by no means simple. It requires a great deal of planing and will-power, two things I struggle with. However, I will approach this with a positive attitude and follow the suggestions from my Strong Lola friends who have submitted many suggestions over the past year. My fave is the non-sandwich sandwich...I got this from the people at Whole9 who suggested a couple years ago that when you go to a restaurant that offers great sandwiches on their menu, one option for those of us trying to eat clean is to order said sandwich sans the bread/pita/wrap etc. You will get strange looks from your server, but who cares when it's about a better, more healthy you?  I just took a moment to revisit the Whole9 Blog as I recalled the post about the sandwich and instead stumbled on a post about the difference between rest and recovery, and what's needed for a healthy recovery...there are no coincidences.  Feeling as drained as I have been the past few days I needed to read this and to be reminded of some important truths:

"Being committed to recovery means that sometimes you don’t train hard, even if you really want to, and even if everyone else is doing it.

A commitment to recovery may mean that you take ice baths sometimes.

It means that when all you want is pizza and a beer, you choose a nutritious meal instead.

It means that you put away the computer/TV/smartphone/video game and go the heck to sleep.

It means that you spend some intimate time with your foam roller, lacrosse ball, stick, ice pack, or other self-care tool/torture device.

It means that you watch and learn from Kelly Starrett getting his supple leopard on.

It may mean that you seek out a reputable practitioner of your preferred therapeutic approach: massage, Rolfing, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathic or functional medicine.

It might mean that you use your noggin’ and take a pass on a race or competition that really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of Your Life and Health.

It might even mean that you revisit your trip down Whole30 Lane."

 So according to the above, it's bedtime for this girl as I have a date with the gym in the morning and then another with Ms Monica the massage therapist/torture device (the hip's been feeling WAY better this week I have to admit, the work of my two bringers of pain is paying off).

Heartache and the back squat

Watching a friend who’d experienced recent heartache struggle through a workout that should have been tough but doable made me stop to think about the extent to which our emotional selves impact our abilities to perform.  How often have you gone into the gym for a workout on a day when you were feeling down, only to struggle through every lift, through every set?  It’s a given that emotional struggle will distract you from that place of “focus,” sometimes to the point that you seemingly daydream through the workout.  On days when I have “so much on my mind” I find I have to drag myself back to the next set.  So watching my friend try to squat 225lb and essentially fail when it was nowhere near his max, I knew he was struggling with more than the weight on his back.

The use of music in the gym, whether your own or whatever's piped in, is geared at improving your mood during the workout/training process.  It clearly suggests the recognition and understanding that improving one's mood would be conducive to improving the gym experience. I wonder though, on days like that, is it best to just call it and move on, or is it better to “soldier on” and make the best of it? I have never quite learned how to channel my emotional state into competition or training.  Not like my brother, who took his level of training up to such an elite level because of issues he was dealing with that year.  When my emotions are getting the better of me I just want to hide – hit the couch and put a blanket over my head.  Struggling through the workout would just leave me feeling weak and hence worse than I did going into the gym, so to me it seems counter-productive. I'm good at hiding, so why not focus on  that instead?  But we all know better - the endorphins from the workout are the best thing for elevating your mood on those days. A good workout always leaves you feeling good, even if it's wrung the life out of you, and remember, even if you don't feel great at the end of it, your heart and your elderly self will thank you.

Sugs

Attempts at pain recovery/reduction

On Tuesday I went to see Leanne my physiotherapist about my hip.  The upping of my level of training has brought the pain back like a beast, and I needed to figure out ways of working around it over the next while.  She did some traction work and suggested that we try dry needling.  Now like the next person, I have somewhat of a fear of needles, but not enough so to prevent me from getting things done that I know (or think) will benefit me – heck, I let my roommate do acupuncture on me a few times a week when I was training for the Disney marathon in 2009!  But last year when he had awful shin splints, Jason had Leanne dry-needle him, and his reports of how much it had hurt have me all wound up.  I grudgingly agreed to the treatment, but I must admit that my guts were in a knot in apprehension.  It was my understanding that whilst similar to acupuncture, this procedure involved a more invasive approach and use of bigger needles. Yay!

She started with my right glutes, and yes, it hurt a bit – you could feel the needle as it entered a trigger point, and then there was this sharp “quiver,” which I’ve since learned is a local twitch response (LTR), which is an involuntary spinal cord reflex in which the muscle fibers in the taut band of muscle contract. The LTR indicates the proper placement of the needle in a trigger point. The theory is that dry needling that elicits LTRs improves treatment outcomes.  Both Jason and Leanne are believers, so I figured I'd give it a try. I wimped out of the complete process though.  When she was done with the backside and had me flip over, I baulked at the thought of having my hip flexor and groin done.  In my mind that was going beyond my pain tolerance and so I decided to pass.  The pain had eased somewhat and the area around my hip did seem looser hours later, but that could have been a placebo effect. 

Wednesday morning I woke up and instead of my usual pain and stiffness, the right glutes were pain-free and it seemed all the pain had transferred forward into the hip flexor area.  Coincidence?  I’m going to suggest not.  I really think the needling helped.  In the afternoon I went for a deep tissue massage, and I swear Monica awakened the pain beast just as he’d fallen asleep from the needling the night before!  So I woke up this morning in god-awful pain.  I actually skipped my sled workout and stayed in bed with a heating pad, hoping to loosen things up a bit.  I dunno, it’s almost noon and things haven’t improved much – I’m seriously leaning in the direction of copious amounts of drugs to get me through tonight’s paddle.  Gonna go for a walk and see if that helps loosen things up any. I really do need to find a way of working yoga into my process. The stretching and strengthening that comes with it could only help.

Fitness accountability

It's official - I'm just one solid, giant walking ball of ache. Being me, I put off training consistently, even after making the decision to try out for Hungary next year, and suddenly the testing months are upon us and I  have to be scrambling to try to  make  some semblance of form if I am to be in the running at all. Truth is it's highly doubtful I can pull it off. It's incredible, but it's been 6 years since I was last in the kind of shape I am aiming for, and to try to get back there in less than 3 months is nothing short of ridiculous. Why I do these things to myself, nobody knows. Things have to be at the absolute extreme before I react.
Jason's written me a program aimed at ramping up the training and getting me back in shape as quickly as possible. Monday I had to do the baseline testing, (ran for the the first time since 2009!!!!) and talk about being handed a giant cup of humility!!! According to the numbers I got from Helen from December 2010 testing, things should look like this:

	1200 m run		500 m row	chin ups	Bench Press (seconds)	Bench Row (seconds)
Mean (average)	5:59		01:52.0	8.4	37.6	35.2
Median (middle data)	5:47.5		01:53.8	7	36.5	34
Top Result	4:44		1:39.7	26	68	65

Nothing I did came close. My 1200m run is over 7 minutes, I did 20 reps at the bench press and 17 for the row, and I couldn't do one single pull-up! Me, the person who taught almost all my friends to do pull-ups, and could always depend on my strength and fitness to make up for any deficits in the paddling. I'm plain and simply too heavy. I need to drop a good 25-30lbs. Chug, chug, chug. So I'm in the gym twice a day on non-paddling days and once on paddling days with the exception of Sundays when I just paddle. The hip and knees HATE me. Me TIRED. One GIANT bag of ache I tell you. However, come hell or high water I will be in the most amazing shape by year-end. So even if I don't make the cut for the fall camp, it won't matter much because I will be in killer shape!
Add to all my new training the fact that Albert has ramped up our on-water practices, and seems to be paying real attention to me in the boat now that I've told him I'm gunning for the team. I've been sticking to clean eating paleo-style, and other than losing my mind when I was in Toronto last weekend and giving in to the Kernels craving, I've been good. No slacking for this girl. In fact, it's 12:35 and I have to be up early for deadlifts...

Just do it!!

As we went through the warm-up ritual we follow before every sled workout, Jason, Alex and I couldn't help but notice a young man arriving at the track. We noticed him because he was wearing a single sporting prosthesis just below his right knee. Prior to that moment I had only seen Oscar Pistorius and others wearing their prostheses in news articles and photos. The articles are usually part of the discourse around the "unfair advantage" these athletes would have were they to compete against the able-bodied. Ridiculous. How quickly would these people change places with said able-bodied runners!

I couldn't stop watching him - he ran with a stride I could only envy, and boy is FAST! Wearing a "Canada" shirt, I could only assume he was one of our paralympians. He inspired me - made me push the sled all the harder. I left the field with a smile on my face, feeling uplifted by what I had seen. I needed to know, who was this guy? What's his story? Had I guessed right about his Olympian talents? A few hours later I had my answers - Jackie Marciano is a 22 year old sprinter who had lost his leg at age 9. He was/is a natural, having been discovered by a running coach while he was out jogging. According to one article I found, Jackie's deadlift max is 450lbs!!! This is a feat for an able-bodied man, few of them able to come close.
I was/am still smiling. He has a FB page, so I just sent him a note wishing him the best in his running career and telling him how much he has inspired me. :-)

More Jackie...http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/11/02/ns-nova-scotia-parapan-american-games.html?cmp=rss

A comedic visitor

It was great having Julie here performing in the Halifax Comedy Festival, as it meant I actually got to go to the festival! I had actually won tickets to the Thursday night show, but got home, Jason was asleep, didn't want to wake him, waited around, next thing I was asleep, and that was all she wrote. I am seriously pathetic and I know it (lol). Anyway, Saturday Jules was in the 3pm show at the Lower Deck, and it was fun times. The show was sold out (teenie tiny venue though) and was being taped by the CBC and silliness abounded. Since she was hosting the early show at YukYuk's we decided to check that one out as well - then we found out Sarah would be there with a group of friends, so we ended up being a table of 8 for the show.

Chillin at the lighthouse

Requisite Peggy's Cove shot

Jay 'n Jules

Me and the boy

Headed to the market this aft, and then to Peggy's Cove for Julie's last day in Halifax - it was a gorgeous sunny day after a week of seriously schizophrenic weather. I think we all had a good time...

Looks like we're about to burst into song.

Back to reality...

Having a '60s evening

Took my braids out today, and I hafta say, I'm diggin' my 'fro (and my glasses aren't bad either)!

A superhero goes to war

Whoohoo! I am SOOOOO excited tonight, settling in to watch Rashad Evans attempt to regain his title from his former training partner John "Bones" Jones. Now I don't know about anyone else, but my money's on the superhero, Bones Jones. What's not to like? The man is everything you would want in a fighter, and then some. Genetically he's a bit of a freak with abnormally long appendages (it's practically impossible to go inside with him; he strikes/kicks at will), but all that notwithstanding, the fun of watching him hone his craft as a fighter is unbeatable. He's like a dangerous big kid learning how to use new toys, and you see him playing with his opponents every time. There is no predicting where he's coming from next as he continues to have more and more of a complete game. His skills are amazing. Of course, I have to always remember that in MMA, all it takes is one lucky shot (right Brock?!). These are two well conditioned and skillful fighters, so I hope it comes down to these things and not "luck."

Two days in Victoria, British Columbia

So glad I built a visit to see Julie into my conference plans for BC, since heaven knows when next I will make it across the country!  We had an awesome time wandering around Victoria yesterday and today. The city graciously cooperated weather-wise and I have had two gloriously sunny days. It is absolutely stunning here - didn't get a chance to see much of the Pacific in Vancouver, but spent this afternoon on the beach with Julie and the dogs (this is such a dog-friendly town!).

She is so lucky to have this - it's  absolutely glorious. Being here makes me think "I'll have to get out every day when I get back since I don't know how much longer I will be in Nova Scotia." Now that school is all done, I should make that happen. I'm glad I've had this time here.

Victoria seems completely laid back, and I was surprised to discover it has one of the highest ratios of restaurants to people of all cities in North America. Cool. Seafood, pub fare and Korean this visit - not too shabby. I have always said I could move to BC without first visiting because everything I have heard about the province to date suggested it was my kind of place. Thoughts confirmed. The architecture is stunning. I get why homes are so expensive. Yet there's also tons of laid back, affordable living; there's tons of water; outdoorsy things to do; and I can hit Whistler if I miss snow. I remember again why I love to travel.

Also got a chance to see Jules honing her skills on the mike at Hecklers Bar and Grill where she was one of the featured comedians. She's getting ready to perform in  Halifax at the Comedy Festival, so she was trying out some new material - I seriously dig how she just goes out and takes  what she wants - her business, guys, a PhD, now comedy stardom. Once again, my kinda girl - hardcore.

Spring's first paddle

We were back on  the water today! Now I should point out it was 3 degrees Celsius at noon in Halifax, so who knows how cold it was out on Lake Banook! All I know is at one point during our practice Albert said we'd be doing a five minute piece, two minutes hard, one minute active rest and another two minutes hard. All I could think was "dude, I don't know that I have 5 STROKES in me, let alone 5 minutes!!!" Yes, I was paying for not doing any winter training, but the biggest problem I had was I honestly couldn't feel my bottom arm for most of the practice. It took me at least 30 minutes standing in the shower to begin to warm up. All that aside, the first day on the water is always awesome. Now I hope I can follow through with my plans for the summer (it's all about finding a job so I can afford it!).

Sugs out.

Dealing with pain and injury

As I've said, in previous posts, I've been remiss in working out on a regular basis for a very long time. In addition to sheer laziness and loss of motivation since moving here, I struggled last year with hip/lower-back pain that nobody could figure out. I went to my GP, physio, massage, all to no avail. There was speculation that maybe I had a torn labrum for a while, nobody really knew. Paddling was a painful mess all summer. My doctor sent me to a sports medicine guy who ordered an MRI. In the meantime, I started to see the pain in my hip as just part of the joys of getting out of shape and being so much heavier. I knew I needed to train, but... We dismantled the bed and moved to the floor, which seemed to help with the pain and stiffness first thing every morning - I know, early morning aches and pains, maybe I'm just getting old!!!

Fast forward TEN MONTHS, and there I was this morning, on a stretcher in the hospital awaiting said diagnostic test. Of course, being me, I had long since forgotten about the fact that I was awaiting the test (I mean come on, 10 months?!) and of course when I remembered at 3am (with the test scheduled for 8:30 on the same day) I didn't give thought to the fun and invasive part where they injected the dye into my hip. Something tells me they'll find nothing. After all, I barely have pain anymore, although sometime in the next few weeks we'll be back on the water and then I'll know for certain. In the meantime I can only hope - finding something means we'll have something to fix rather than me still guessing.  I will not get into any kind of discussion about the state of our healthcare system and why wait times have become so absolutely ridiculous!

step AWAY from the chocolate….: February is conspiring against me:

Thought I'd re-post this here as she totally sums up how I feel and have felt over the past month. I would like to somehow erase February 2012 if I could...
I have been miserable ever since getting back from Chicago on January 9th. Winston didn't just have gum disease, the vet was painfully inadequate and after a second and then a third opinion, my puddy tat had to be put down because of a tumor under his tongue and into his jaw line. My heart is broken, I lost my best buddy and I have wanted nothing to do with blogging - I hate looking back at journals and seeing nothing but pain on the page. That being said, I had been really good where the diet was concerned - finished my 30 day challenge (and without much struggle surprisingly) without giving in  even when all I was doing was curling up in bed missing my kitty. But then came evil February with all her doldrums...
step AWAY from the chocolate….: February is conspiring against me:: By Guest Blogger Renae The high of the *New Year New Me, New Life* is fading. The daily drudgery of routine is sinking in. February, why...

A reminder to take care of me

Life's been pretty lop-sided lately.  Since getting back from Chicago, I've been under the weather, and have managed to do a whopping ONE day of rowing! I decided I wouldn't accept the cheating thing, so I started over at day one on the 11th. So, 100% paleo for 30 days. I'm no longer on the Strong Lola Challenge as they're eleven days ahead of me. It's pretty interesting watching the challenge unfold for a large group of individuals at once. It has been giving me a real sense of what's possibly to come in the way of struggles, roadblocks, the unknown, etc.  Today is day five, and the worst thing for me thus far is the same thing I have always dealt with - I am obviously not eating enough. I am forever hungry, and the thing that concerns me is I'm relying on fruit to address that hunger. Will listen to Jason's advice on olive oil shots though. I know they will be a lifesaver when I get to the stage where I have no energy and will need to ingest more fats - make my body start burning fats for energy.

My poor baby...

Been dealing with a "sick" puddy tat since I got back home. He has severe gum disease and may need to lose a number of teeth (he's already lost his lower incisors). Right now he's on antibiotics and pain meds. In addition to his gingivitis, he has lesions on  his teeth, something I had never heard about before. Poor Winston's situation has definitely given me pause. Over the last few years since I went back to grad school I have completely let myself go, in the sense that I stopped paying attention to me. I stopped having manis and pedis (except just before seeing my mom so I wouldn't have to hear about it!!!!); rare visits to get my hair done; but the big one is, I've shirked going to the dentist. This last one makes NO SENSE if you think about the fact that I was raised by two dental professionals!!! Yet it's been a few years (gasp) since I've visited the dentist. Should it be a surprise then that I neglected the dental health of my pet? Don't get me wrong, I have paid very close attention to Winston's general care, and he's ridiculously healthy and handsome. I just didn't take him to the vet so he could have his teeth checked. Now how does this fit the theme of this blog, you ask? Simple, we all too often forget, oral health is not only important to your appearance and sense of well-being, but also to your overall health. Cavities and gum disease may contribute to many serious conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory diseases. Untreated cavities can also be painful and lead to serious infections. Fitness and health go hand in hand. So keep on keeping on, but don't forget the small stuff (gotta make a dental appt this week!)!

See? The smile's worth saving!!!

Coming back from a weekend in Chicago

This weekend was an exercise in excess.  I ate too little or too much, and what I did eat was useless for me in terms of fitness.  And whilst not drinking as much as we have in past gatherings, I drank too much as well.  Knowing myself however, I knew this would be the case.  I have always been a creature that did what it wanted when it wanted to do it.  I fall easily into bad habits and have really never learned restraint.  I know the things I should and shouldn’t eat/drink, but have always given more weight to the importance of living whilst enjoying every bit of it.  “meh, life’s too short to deny myself the things I like.”  Of course, built into that thought process is the assumption that a life without alcohol and junk food isn’t or cannot be an enjoyable one.  Yet, as I made my way through the weekend, I was very conscious of the food and drink choices I made.  I’m detecting a degree of evolution, albeit small.  But I do think that for a woman who’s answered to the name Sugar for over a decade, any evolution is worth mention.  

Fresh ingredients change everything!

 Living in Halifax has meant cooking a great deal more than I ever have.  I have always hated domesticity in all it’s forms, but my circumstances don’t allow me the option of not doing all the cooking, cleaning etc., so I find myself constantly searching for new and interesting recipes, even whilst being cognizant of the fact that Jason has a limited palate, and I believe maybe even IBS.  

Halifax Farmers Market

I am learning the value of cooking with fresh herbs and spices.  Slowly our meals are starting to take on flavors I thought were the domain of awesome cooks, and am now realizing can be had through simply staying away from canned, dried, preserved and otherwise processed foods.  Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t need to cling to my book of recipes, just that whenever possible, I will make the effort to buy and eat fresh.  I guess I’ve just discovered the value of the farmer’s market!  None too soon, considering that now I’m back from Chicago I go back to the paleo challenge.  

 Sugar